Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin says he believes he has the backing of EFL chief executive Rick Parry for keeping the transfer window open until the end of January.

Clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two are struggling during the enforced break in football, and Catlin says he thinks it is the best way for clubs to stave off potential financial ruin:

“I have spoken to 20-plus chief executives and owners in the EFL, including two in the Championship, and they have all said they would support it. Rick thinks it’s a good idea. We would need to speak to the FA, UEFA and FIFA but this would have a positive domestic impact.”

“I cannot see why any of the other governing bodies would want to put a block on this. There is going to be a short window anyway which means the agents and the players hold all the aces. By taking the window away, I think it makes sense. I think It is already being considered and it would not surprise me at all if we did see it.”

As Catlin mentions, the EFL will need to consult with the FA, UEFA and FIFA to scrap the window which is currently expected to open in June and close on September 1st.

With the government lockdown extending for a further three weeks, there is still no telling when the Championship and the other two divisions will be able to get underway once again.

Another big concern is that even if the season resumes, matches would still have to be played behind closed doors, which will continue to hit clubs, like Middlesbrough, in the pocket.

Keeping the transfer window open could, therefore, offer flexibility in terms of selling players and reducing wage bills in order to balance the books.